A startling case of medical negligence has come to light at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), where expired cardiac stents were implanted in dozens of patients, according to a report by the Auditor General of Pakistan, as reported by ARY News.
Between July 2021 and December 2022, 22 patients were fitted with fully expired stents, while nine others received stents that were dangerously close to expiry — retaining only 3% of their shelf life. The findings emerged following a detailed audit that examined patient files and stock records at the hospital.
The audit also revealed financial irregularities amounting to Rs. 263 million, tied to the procurement of expired stents and medicines. Despite repeated inquiries, the hospital administration has yet to respond to the Auditor General’s office regarding these serious allegations.
This is not the first time PIC has faced such accusations. Back in 2022, a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) report revealed that 38 patients had received 39 expired stents at the same facility in 2021. The FIA’s preliminary findings showed that 500 stents were purchased from a private supplier in 2019, intended for use in 2020, but many were still being implanted 19 months after their expiry.
The FIA report also alleged deliberate misconduct, stating that PIC continued to demand more stents from other hospitals despite having expired stock available, raising serious questions about internal practices and accountability.